I found a couple that fit well, but both were extremely uncomfortable, in different places.

I clearly don't understand your definition of "fit well."

Fair enough. I meant the overall size/proportions were good, but there was an annoying flaw. Like one of them dug into my foot with every step, where they flexed. Another was too stiff at the top, and chaffed my shin.

The internet is truly a wondrous place; I post a blog about my boot hunting adventures, and people actually respond.

fit... maybe i am mental (that's a rhetorical statement).. but i used to obsess over footwear, backpacks, and anything else really. And the more I focused the more I found issue. and hot spots. and pre-mature wear. And discomfort. Sure..some things do work better or worse than others for all of us. I'm a size 9-9.5. I have flat feet. I'm neither skinny nor overweight. I'm not short or tall. That's good I guess, but also has it's own stuff. Lowa work for me. La Sportiva works for me in trail runners. As have Hoka stuff I've tested. The Sportiva's give me a season+ at best but my expectations are there. Among ski boots, Garmont, Dynafit, and Scarpa have all functioned excellent with a bit of effort. The less I focus on my gear...the less i focus on my gear.

good point. I get boots for free by testing them on backpackgeartest.org. They announce a test of a boot. If it's what I want I apply. I just give them a shoe size and it fits well enough. Lowa, Merrel, Oboz, Ahnu, whatever... I get blisters occasionally but not very much. I use Leuko tape occasionally.

My current boots are Lowa. Leather on the outside. It's been splitting a little on the sides about even with the base of my little toe. I put McNett seam grip on it and using it for a couple more trips. I think I'm about to call it and throw them out. I just had a rainy trip and my socks were just damp inside.

...My current boots are Lowa. Leather on the outside. It's been splitting a little on the sides about even with the base of my little toe. I put McNett seam grip on it and using it for a couple more trips...

I've found the trick is to put seam grip on all the seams BEFORE I ever use them. Instant ugly, bit it helps extend their life as the seam stitching is fragile. I buy a pair every year, and use each pair for two years. After one year they lose their waterproofing so that pair then gets used for another year on hikes where I don't require waterproofing. Thus I always have two pairs, one for wet days and one for dry days. Sure it would be nice if they lasted longer, but considering the abuse they get, I just accept it and consider it's part of the game. No good fretting over it.

I've had decently good luck with Keen and Mammut, Danner as well but that's usually a different style of boot (although if you want something tall it's hard to beat. If you've got oddly shaped feet you may look into Whites or Nicks, I believe they're both NW made, and custom to fit your specific feet. They're also more of a logger/work boot though, but can be perfectly functional in the snow, and with some love and care, can be pretty damn waterproof and with maybe a re-soling or two, could last for decades

I find that waterproof boots stay waterproof one or two extended winters (i.e. mid-Fall to mid-spring). It goes slowly. It usually starts leaking somewhere near the rand, there will be cracks in the membrane and water will start to get in there, and it spreads from that starting point. I usually use Columbia and while they typically list for over $100, I usually find some sale at maybe 2/3 that. When they are new I can stand in front of a shallow enough creek and stay dry.

Jerry - the solution for deeper creeks is to take off your boots and put on your camp sandals, though people I know who hike in very lightweight boots just let them get wet , in the warm season at least.

Temperature ratings are immaterial to me because I have hot feet and never need insulated boots. Shedding heat is my goal and I take breaks from my hikes just to cool off the dogs. They only get cold in consistent snow, thus the waterproofs for winter.

That ain't my religion. I'm not an ULer. Call me a Ler. I go lightweight on big ticket items like tent, sleeping bag, etc. But when it comes to clothes, reading material, and most definitely camp sandals, I'm a heretic to your religion. I do have UL friends and they all take some kind of camp footwear.

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